Wins for Raton on Makeup Games

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

Girls
Pojoaque 0  0  0  2  3  0  0  5
Raton      2   6  0  2  1  0     11

Boys
Pojoaque 0  3  0  0  0  0  0  3
Raton      2  0  2  3  5   0     12

Raton hosted the Pojoaque Elks and Elkettes Monday afternoon for makeup games that got snowed out last week.

The girl's game started off all Raton as the Lady Tigers put two on the board first and followed it up in the second with six more when Kalista Dorrance hit an infield home run that scored two and Breannon Trujillo who hit a triple that brought in two more.

It was looking like Raton might be able to pull off a 10 run rule game but the Elkettes pushed two over the plate in the fourth and three more in the fifth.

The girls finished with three more runs for the win and will now take on Robertson for the last regular season game.

The boy's game went much the same with Raton scoring first. Pojoaque however took a brief lead with a three run rally in the second but couldn't manage another run during the game.

Raton continued to rack up the points and finished out the game with a healthy lead. They too will take on Robertson Tuesday for the final season game.

The seniors, both boys and girls were honored Monday afternoon as this was their last home game of the regular season and their high school careers. Good Luck to the Seniors as they now move on in life.

Seniors Alyssa Eggebrecht, Brylee Medina, Breannon Trujillo, Makayla Mondragon were honored before Monday's game with Pojoaque

Shania Dorrance makes the throw to first during the makeup game with Pojoaque Monday afternoon.

Makayla Mondragon beat the throw back to first early in the game Monday afternoon at Jim Wade Field.

Kalista Dorrance makes home plate just in front of the ball Monday afternoon.

Tara McDonald and Mariah Romero collide in center field going after a fly ball. Unfortunately the ball fell good for Pojoaque and allowed runners to advance.

The throw from pitcher Dylan Query just beats the runner to first late in the boy's game Monday afternoon.

Senior Seth Parker was honored in the seventh inning. This was Seth's final home game not only of the season but a good baseball career at Raton High.

Lady Tigers Toppled
Tiger win one in Seventh Inning Rally

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

Girls
WLV   7
Raton  5

WLV 6
Raton 4

Boys
WLV 10
Raton 9

WLV 6
Raton 7

The Lady Tigers just couldn't quite get it to go in game one after Gabby Griego hit a three run homer over the fence in the 5th to give West a 6-3 lead. While the girls were connecting with the ball the hits weren't making it past the infield.

In the boys game Raton was in the game until the final pitch in game one as a seventh inning rally tied the game. A WLV run in the eighth put West back on top and they held Raton to a goose egg for the win. Raton left the bases loaded three times in game one.

In game two Raton put together another seventh inning rally after a slow start. In this game Ethan Washburn pitched the entire game. The seventh inning rally came when WLV pitcher Jake Ulibarri walked three and then a fourth batter before Cam Baird put one in the outfield and Keanu Barela finished it with a hit in the center field to bring Baird home. 

Breannon Trujillo makes contact with the ball to put her on base.

The slide home was close but the umpire called her out at home.

Alyssa Eggabrecht makes contact with the ball but as many hits in the later part of the game the ball fell short and she was out at first.

Danny Record slides home but isnt quite low enough to get under the catcher's mitt for the out.

Devin Medina doesn't quite make it back for the pick off at first base.

Ethan Washburn slides in under the wide thrown ball at second.

Horeseman Topple Tigers

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

Third inning did Raton in as the a seven run rally by St Mikes gave them a 9-3 lead in a Thursday afternoon makeup game in Raton.

Raton's pitching staff while young played a good game against the older St Mikes players. Cam Baird started the game and went two innings before Ethan Washburn took over in the third. The Horseman took aim at Washburn's pitching and planted balls in the holes in the outfield.

From there eighth grader Jason Parker took the mound and confounded the hard hitting horseman with his slow pitches. Yet St Mikes still managed to push three runs over the plate. Dylan Query finished the game for Raton allowing only two runs in the sixth but it was that two runs that shortened the game for Raton with the 10 run rule after the fifth.

St Mikes  0  2  7  3  0  2  14
Raton       0  3  0  0  1  0    4

Marcus Sandoval (22) slides to second but Ethan Washburn (4) is there with the ball for the tag and the out.

Matt Smallwood makes it safely back to first as the ball approaches Dante Mileta's mitt on the pick off attempt.

Its another out at second as Dante Mileta makes the tag before Josh Costi could make the base.

Martin Ortiz goes for the ball and makes the catch in center field for the out.

OSO’s to do 70 Games in 72 Days

By Marty Mayfield

KRTN Multi-Media

Them OSO’s are a comin and no we’re not talking about the dumpster diving, four legged fur bearing kind either, these are the minor league professional ball player kind.

That’s right folks, you will be able to venture down to Gabriele Field and watch our own minor league team compete against seven other teams in the Pecos League. Players for the OSO’s will be first year players out of college looking to move up the ladder to other minor league teams and eventually on to the majors.

Andrew Dunn chairman for the Pecos League was in town Monday afternoon and spoke to a few fans and business owners about the team. Dunn indicated the league is happy to be here. He also noted the Gabriele Field is one of the better fields in the league and he has had nothing but great relations with the city.

Details are still being worked out on how and where entry to the field will be handled but there will be extra bleachers added at the field. Legion Park will also be setup for viewing with tickets. Tickets are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for kids.

The plan is to make the baseball experience as big league as they can, selling OSO memorabilia and having special games during the 37 home game run. To go along with the experience the league is looking for volunteers to be bat boys and girls as well as ball shaggers to chase those out of the park home runs and foul balls.

This year the training camp for both the Trinidad Trigger and the Raton OSOs will be here in Raton and will begin on May 5^th. Training camp practices are free and the public is welcome to watch those practices.

Also the Raton schedule is online at  http://raton.pecosleague.com/  OSO memorabilia is also online at the above web page.

Black and Orange will be the colors you will see on the field during the OSO games.

Andrew Dunn Pecos League chairman holds up a practice uniform

Girls take Saturday Double Header
Boys keep Double Header close

Girls game 1
Robertson 1  0  2  0  4  0  0  7
Raton        3  4  0  0  1  2     10

Game 2
Robertson 0  0  0  2  0  0  0   2
Raton        2  2  0  0  0  7      11

Raton's Breannon Trujillo hit a bases loaded infield home run in the sixth of game two 

Boys game 1
Robertson 0  2  0  1  2  5  4  14
Raton        1  0  0  0  4  2  1   8

Robertson's Ryan Tafoya hit a 3 run homer in the top of the seventh

Game 2
Robertson 1  1  0  2  2  4  4  14
Raton        3  1  0  1  3  0  0   8


It was a sunny breezy day in Raton for softball and it turned out to be a good day for the Lady Tigers as they took both games of the double header against Robertson. The wins push Raton into the lead in district 2AAA softball.

Raton's Breannon Trujillo started pitching the game for Raton and was followed by Natasha Archuleta with Shania Dorrance pitching game two. Having three or more pitchers will help Raton compared to relying on one or maybe two pitchers in the past. Even so it will be hard to fill the shoes of Krista Fissel who for three years was the only pitcher Raton had.

With two players out for the season, Brylee Medina and Rhiannon Barela, and the added pitchers the Lady Tigers are seeing players move around field giving them an added dynamic. The ladies also have a lot of young players that if they stay together will make for a strong team in the coming years.

Saturday the ladies too the early lead in game one but Robertson threatened with a rally in the fifth which tied the game at seven and then gave them the lead briefly before the Raton bats connected and pulled out the game.  

Game two was all Raton. Breannon Trujillo hit a bases loaded infield home run in the bottom of the sixth.

Caydence Sisneros makes the awkward catch and throw to first to make the out in the first game of the double header with Robertson.

Breannon Trujillo connects with the ball in one of her many hits during the double header with Robertson Saturday.

Safe at first a Robertson player makes it back to the bag before the throw to Christina Jaramillo Saturday afternoon.

Kalista Dorrance slides home for score in game one of the double header at Jim Wade Field.

Kalista Dorrance slides in under the tag at third.

The umpire signals safe as Alyssa Eggabrecht reaches out for the tag at home plate.

Mariah Romero starts the slide into second but runs into the Robertson second baseman for the out and a bloody nose.

The Raton Boys are a young team this year with only one senior on the team. But the boys have heart and while they are still making the young player mistakes they have managed to be in most all their games according to coach JR Alderette and the Saturday double header with Robertson was no exception.

Raton was in both games until late in the game when it seems one inning just does them in. Raton also went through their pitching staff which includes a couple of eight graders Dylan Lemons and Jason Parker.

The Boys games started late at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday allowing a couple of the Robertson players to take ACT tests. In game one Raton and Robertson were tied at five after five yet a rally and three run homer by Ryan Tafoya allowed Robertson to pull it out and win that game.

Again in the second game Raton stayed in it until the sixth when another rally by Robertson added four in the sixth and seventh for the win.

Safe at Third as the base runner makes it in just before the ball during the double header with Robertson Saturday afternoon.

Another play at second as the tag is made before the Robertson player makes it to second.

Senior Seth Parker slides to second and makes it before the ball Saturday afternoon.

Dante Mileta makes the bunt Saturday afternoon and then makes it to first base as Robertson was just a bit slow responding.

 

Ethan Washburn slides safe into second just outside the reach of the Robertson second baseman.

This was a close one and was called safe Saturday night as Cardinal Miguel Jauregui slides wide into third base as Brandon Romero goes for the tag.

Tagged on the leg but tagged none the less for the out was Colin Pedro as he leaps for the bag past third baseman Brandon Romero

Raton Ladies Bring Home Second Place

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

The State Spirit Competition was held at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho this last weekend and as usual it was tough emotional competition.

The state spirit competition is like no other in the state. It is a judged competition, not one that is decided at the buzzer by the score. This is one that takes two different routines and is compared to the other teams. This event is one that you have to experience to really understand the emotions and determination and talent of the ladies.

Raton Cheer and Dance teams have placed in the top five over the last several years. Watch the ladies perform each year and see the determination and the hard work they put into the routines. Yet a small bobble or a dropped flyer can upset the whole routine and deduct points. While it may only be a few points as you can see by the scoring a few points may mean the difference in one or two places.

Dance Results

3A St. Michael's    262.0  258.5  520.5

3A Raton               258.5  249.0  507.5

3A Sandia Prep     264.5  225.0 489.5

3A Hope Christian 245.5 239.0 484.5

3A Socorro            231.0  222.5  453.5

3A Taos                 202.5  207.0  409.5

3A Silver               207.5  191.0  398.5

3A Robertson       200.0  195.5  395.5

3A West Las Vegas 188.0 193.5 381.5

Cheer Results

3A Hope Christian 272.0  254.0  526.0

3A Raton               238.0  227.5  465.5

3A Taos                 244.0  220.5  464.5

3A Portales           241.0  203.0  444.0

3A Silver               205.5  206.5  412.0

3A St. Michael's   164.5  152.0   316.5

3A Lovington        156.5  149.0  305.5

3A Ruidoso           169.5  122.5  292.0

3A West Las Vegas 89.5 163.5  253.0

3A Robertson       127.5   102.5  230.0

After the performances Friday afternoon both Raton coaches were happy with their scores and knew Saturday would tell the story. Friday's routines are more structured and contain must have elements. Saturday the routines are allowed to be more freely structured so you will see different styles of performances.

As the awards were being presented Saturday emotions were running high and this year it was bitter sweet for the Raton TigerCats dance team as they scored higher than rivals Hope Christian and when the standings were announced the ladies were visibly happy. 

In the cheer competition this year saw a closer event as Portales has a new coach and was noticably improved this year and Taos was once again in the hunt as they were last year. Looking at the scores the middle three are fairly close, with Raton and Taos only one point apart. 

 

Miranda Luksich and Devon Gutierrez accept the second place trophy for the Raton TigerCats dance team Saturday in Rio Rancho at the State Spirit Competition.

2013 TigerCats Dance Team

    Autumn Hunnicutt, Cheyenne Starr, Devon Gutierrez, Heather Segura, Helen Segura
Kylie Fleming, Lakken Medina, Miranda Luksich, Moriah Daniel, Renee Martinez
Sabrina Valdez, Sarah Earle, Taylin Baker
Coach Kelli Gabriele, Coach Sue Holland

Kelli Ortiz and Hunter Garcia accept the second place trophy for the RHS Cheer team Saturday morning in Rio Rancho at the State Spirit Competition.

RHS Cheer Team

Alexandra Flores, Alyssa Aragon, Ashlynn Martinez, Brittany Sanchez, Cheyann Duran, Cody Stone, Hunter Garcia
Jessica Haynes, Kali Fanelli, Katie Flores, Kelli Ortiz, Natale Castellini, Nayelli Acosta, Nicole James
Rachael Sanchez, Raina Morphew, Sandi Lemons, Shania Sanchez, Coach Linda Ortiz, Coach Brenda Ferri

Trojans Continue District Winning Streak

By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media

The way this game started out it could have went either way as the crowd got loud and the play was deliberate. Wagon Mound at home and the defending District 1B champs hosted a much improved Maxwell Bears team.

Coming from no where only two years ago the Maxwell Bears have come a long way under coach Eloy Brazil. As the teams battled back and forth the defenses held strong and kept the score low. Wagon Mound was up 8-4 at the end of the first. Tough defense continued through the second period. When the buzzer sounded at halftime 19 - 16 game with Wagon Mound on top.

The third period however was a much different ball game as Maxwell went cold and Wagon Mound stoked the flames and went 26 points to 11 for the Bears. Then the fourth quarter turned around for Maxwell going 20-15. The points spread however was to much to over come for Maxwell and the Trojans were once again announced as the District 1B champions. Another factor in the game was made from the free throw line as Wagon Mound went 11 of 12 in the fourth quarter.

Maxwell    4  12  11  20  47
Wagon Mound  8  11  26  15  61

Maxwell High Point
Patrick Pacheco  21 4 of 6 at the line
Thomas Casper 8 1 of 4 free throws
Free Throws 11 of 27 attempts

Wagon Mound High Point
Jose Aguilar 17 8 of 9 free throws
Gabriel Cruz 14
Eric Olguin 17  8 of 8 free throws
Free throws 17 of 19 attempts

The District 1B champs Wagon Mound Trojans (not in order) Jose Aguilar, Darian Mareno, Andrew Martinez, Rio Armijo, Marcus Cruz, Gabriel Cruz, Danny Gray, Eric Olguin, coaches Bobby Clouthier, and P Olguin.

Jakob Smith and Danny Gray go for the rebound early in the game in Wagon Mound.

Thomas Casper goes in low for the lay-up as Trojan Danny Gray gets a hand up for the block

Patrick Pacheco draws the foul as Jose Aguilar (5) works his way down the court during the District 1B championship game.

Up for the rebound is Tristan Chavez and Jose Aguilar (5)

Patrick Pacheco squeezes in between Danny Gray and Eric Olguin as he moves inside for the lay-up during the championship game in Wagon Mound Friday night.